Sharing my experience entering high school and exploring the ends- well limits of my body throughout it, along with the educational aspect of learning. Special shout out to a pandemic that hit in high school.
"Why are you limping? A Pain Crisis? What is that?!"
8th grade me didn't feel like explaining to my middle school friends what a pain crisis was after they witnessed me limping across stage on the graduation day of school. Going into high school, I wanted to break the barriers of what I was told I could and couldn't do. I participated in sports like golf and track and field, along with marching band, JROTC, and marksmanship. Yes, I was crazy. I learned very quickly my limits when I had a pain crisis 8th grade after coming home from a strenuous volleyball practice. Let's just say that was my last time at volleyball practice #firstandlasttime.
Academically, I did come across some teachers who were less understanding of my needs, though many allowed me to exercise them when necessary, and this benefitted me a lot throughout school. One thing I learned from the not-so-good experiences was to go to the bathroom when I need to-whether granted permission or not. As an athlete with a blood disease, hydration is a MUST for me and with hydration comes more frequent urination. Honestly I don't agree with asking permission to go to the restroom at all for a virtually uncontrollable bodily function, but anyhow.
The Infamous Rise of "Rabid Rona"
Nearing the end of freshman year, I reached what I like to call the "peak." I was doing very well socially, mentally, and especially physically. This was an amazing feeling, and coupled with extra time off of school from this mysterious new virus, I gained a newfound sense of relaxation. Little did I know this "relaxation time" would never end. As the panic over Coronavirus grew there was a period where as a person with underlying conditions I was very afraid of getting this virus, and although now I have had it and was blessed to come out okay, I am still afraid. I have to say, my experience with corona also showed me how ignorant people can be too. Beyond all else, the pandemic was a pretty major turning point for me in my disease as it brought this newfound anxiety from it.
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